The Sultanate period brought to India new styles of art and architecture which were soon absorbed into

the existing set up. A number of factors were responsible for events to move in such a direction. The existing Indian styles and the new ideas had many common features, which allowed them to adapt to one another. For instance both the temple and mosque had large open courtyards. Also many temples were converted in mosques by the foreign invaders, and this created a blend of Indian as well as foreign styles. The Sultanate introduced two new architectural ideas, the dome and the pointed arch. The dome was an important decorative structure in Islamic buildings, and soon was implemented in other structures as well. The pointed or true arch that was introduced during this period, was completely different from the type of arches that were being constructed within the country earlier. The earlier Indian style of creating arches was to first put up two pillars. The pillars would then be cut at intervals accommodate 'plug in' projections. There would be a sequence of squares that would gradually decrease in size creating an arch. The new artisans introduced the true arch. This was achieved by making the middle stone a key stone and to have the other stones distribute the load of on the two pillars. The concept of the dome was also introduced. This was gradually perfected and one of the most stunning examples is the dome on top of the Taj Mahal. The dome initially started out as a conical dome as we see in the Mehrauli region in Delhi and eventually developed the ultimate bulbous onion shape on the Taj Mahal. The dome effect was achieved by an interesting method. A square base was first constructed and then at varying angles more of these squares were added to the base. This eventually create a rough dome effect. This was plastered to make it completely round and then the squares were removed. The use of concrete was also on the increase, opening up new avenues. Concrete enabled builders to build larger structures covering more area. Local Indian craftsmen were soon trained in Persian styles of art which they used to decorate the structures. They also implemented some of their own ideas, and soon traditional Hindu motifs like the lotus found their way into Islamic buildings. There were other instances as well, for instance although the Islamic buildings used the more advanced pointed arch, they also included for decoration purposes a variant of the Hindu arch. The early dynasties of the Sultanate period, namely the Slave dynasty and the Khilji dynasty created some exquisitely designed structures, with fine works of art adorning them. During the Tughlaq period however, the mood was less decorative, and more simple and austere. This is attributed partly to the religious ideas of the Tughlaqs as well as the depleted state finances. The Sayyids and Lodis who succeeded the Tughlaqs returned to the more lavish styles with the Lodis introducing the new concept of the double dome. They also introduced a new type of decoration, most probably borrowed from Persia, enamelled tiles, which went very well with grey sandstone. Decorative work in terra-cotta continued to be popular.

Shams-ud-din Iltutmish (Hindi: /AlTaMash/Iltutmish)(Persian ( ) r. 12111236) was the third ruler of the Mamluk dynasty of Delhi of Turkic origin.[1] He was a slave of Qutb-ud-din Aibak and later became his son-in-law and close lieutenant. He was the Governor of Badaun when he deposed Qutub-ud-din's successor Aram Shah and acceeded to the throne of the Delhi Sultanate in 1211. He shifted Capital from Lahore to Delhi, remained the ruler until his death on May 1, 1236. Iltutmish introduced the silver tanka and the copper jital-the two basic coins of the Sultanate period, with a standard weight of 175 grains. He introudced Iqtadari system: division of empire into Iqtas, which were assigned to the nobles and officers in lieu of salary. He built the Hauz-i-Shamsi reservoir in Mehrauli in 1230, which also has Jahaz Mahal standing on its edge, used by later Mughal Emperors. In 1231, he built Sultan Ghari the mausoleum of his eldest son, Prince Nasiru'd-Din Mahmud, which was the first Islamic Mausoleum in Delhi. His own tomb exists, within the Qutb complex in Mehrauli, Delhi. He suppressed all internal revolts and also checked external invaders successfully. He got completed the construction of qutub Reign Full name Titles Died Place of death Buried Predecessor Successor Offspring minar. Dynasty Religious beliefs 12101236 Shams-ud-din Iltutmish Nasir Amir-ul-mominin May 1, 1236 Delhi Qutb Complex, Mehrauli, Delhi Aram Shah Razia Sultana (his daughter) Nasir-ud-din Mahmud, Rukn-ud-din Firuz, Raziya Sultana, Muiz-ud-din Bahram Mamluk Islam